Station North Update 5

April 27, 2015

April 21, 2015- April 27, 2015

So, I must say this past week wasn't as busy as the last few weeks. There weren't as many interviews that had to be scheduled, there weren't as many interviews that I needed to conduct. I can't say it was completely empty, it was busy, but not as busy as the past few weeks. However, thinking back to what I did last week, feels like it was so long and I can't really remember much. So, on Monday I had confirmed the two interviews we had for Wednesday. Tuesday we had Marc Steiner in class. We had some audio edited together by Dan, Adam, and Scott, which was pretty good listening to it, even though there is still more to add. Wednesday, was really the busy day.

On Wednesday, I had two interviews scheduled, the first one with Tarahn Harris, and then the second one with Sofi's Crepes owner, Ann Costlow. Both went fairly well. Fortunately, we had no technical errors and scheduling conflicts, so overall it was pretty smooth. Tarahn was first, he was Sylvester's business partner. We got to see interview in their office [community center], the center was really nice, but then also we were allowed to go out to their community park and garden. The interview probably lasted about an hour. Then we went to meet Ann. At first, we thought we might have gotten the wrong Sofi's since the employee working said she wasn't coming there today, but thankfully she did come to the Sofi's at Station North. We ended up doing the interview at Charles Theatre. Her interview also went well. No problems, it overall went pretty smoothly. Other than that on Wednesday I did not do much more. Ann did give us a Mike Shecters contact, he owns most of the buildings on Charles St. such as Sofi's Crepes and the Charles Theater.

Thursday in class while groups got together to go over their listening assignment. Randi and I started discussing what interviews have been conducted, what interviews have been transcribed, and what still need to be. We ended up making up a google doc to see what/who has done what. In the end, we assigned people in the voices group to transcribe. We also tried setting a due date for May 7 for all transcriptions to be in by, but stated half of the transcriptions should be completed by April 30. In the end, I emailed the entire voices group, so that everyone knew what they had to do and where they could find it even if they weren't here. Randi sent the email to Dr. King, so she would know as well, and also we sent updated list of interviews.

That was basically the end of my week. I will listen to the Tarahns interview now to try pulling out the themes. Other than that, I don't think there was much more.

Station North Update 4

April 20, 2015

April 14-April 20

I would love to say this week went smoother then the last, but I really don't think I can. This past week was so hectic. It started out with just the update we had to give the class and from there it got busy. So, when I updated you last, I had completed some interviews, but I had 4 more scheduled for Wednesday. Before Tuesday, we had to get our update all together. However, I felt there was more confusion on what the update was supposed to be about. Some said it was supposed to be a presentation, discussing individual roles, while we thought it was just supposed to be updating where the voices group was on a broad sense and show them more audio, and what we have done. Unlike the mapping group, I felt we weren't as prepared, since everyone had a different idea, and there wasn't much unison. The entire group was texting amongst each other, to try to keep unison, but it didn't really form the way we wanted. Those are just my thoughts. Also, going up there Tuesday and presenting really made me see how behind we were. I mean yes, we were scheduling, and interviewing, but we had not even started transcribing interviews, and nor had we started picking out themes. Having conducted some interviews, it gave somewhat of an idea, but not having to listen to them again, and not having themes picked out was kind of difficult to make sure we can keep certain themes going. It really gave us a task. Luckily, we got to use the mapping group to help us do that. Each person in the class signed up for an interview to listen to and take notes on the themes in Tuesdays class. After class, Naomi and I went and typed up the list. We ended up having to change 1 or 2 people around to make sure each interview had at least 3 people on it, but then also had 1 voices member on it, so that if they had any questions they could ask them. We ended up adding that on the drive. I had an idea, of transcribing while we theme out. So, if the voices member that were bolded, would evenly distribute a section of the interview they had to each member to transcribe we would have something all the interviews transcribed and themed out by Thursday. Adam and I had interviews lined up on Wednesday getting us not to have to do that, but that didn't mean we had it easy.

As Wednesday, came around 1 of the interviews I had scheduled I was not able to go to, fortunately, Nailah was willing to go. You know what after listening to it, I am really glad she did. I felt that interview had a lot in it. Our interviews started at 11:30, and continued for the rest of the day. My first one was supposed to start at 12:30, however it got started late. I think that happened from the first one. The 12:30 interview with Jonathan A. Greene was good overall. He had a lot to say about art, rather than Station North. The interview started around 1 and ended around 2. I must say, the one thing I really felt was that I was getting used to the feeling of interviewing. Yeah, there were points where I hesitated, but it felt more comfortable. Our next interview was with Sylvester Shorts. He had also invited his business partner, Tarahn Harris. Not only did the interview start late, however, I wasn't expecting his business partner, so I was down a few consent forms, which made us start even later. However, once we finally got it figured out that we would just print it at the next place. We got them to sign and started the interview. Both Sylvester and Tarahn had a lot to say. Sylvester more along the lines of what he does, and Tarahn had a lot of thought on change. It was probably an hour or so later when the interview ended. It was then, Adam realized the recording didn't go off and none of it recorded. We spend an hour plus doing an interview and none of it was there. The only problem now was we had to get to the next interview in 30 minutes and it takes about 30 to get there. We were running really late. So, we decided that we could meet up with Sylvester later, and Tarahn if he could make it. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go, since my parents had driven me, and they had already waited there since 12:30, but if not Adam said he could go. He did take the list of questions, however this time the one thing I really liked about doing this interview was that I really didn't go off my list of questions. It felt more natural. We finally got to our next interview, I think it was right on time. They were nice enough to print off the consents there since I had given my last ones to the interview before.

This interview I must say was amazing. I can't say Adam and I did much. The interview was done with the owners of the Chesapeake Restaurant, Philip and Donald Friedman. Now, Philip lives down in Florida, and Donald lives here in Maryland. After finding Donald's number, and contacting him, he told me that he was going down to Florida for his fathers 90th birthday and they would be willing to talk to us. He even said that we would be able to do at least 3 projects on Station North. Fortunately, his dad and he were coming back up this past week to celebrate his birthday. So, I ended up scheduling a time to meet them in person. Philip (everyone calls him Penny), had a wealth of knowledge on Station North and its history. He had been there since 1918, and grew up there. He could name the streets, name locations, buildings, and told you the history on it. The really nice thing about the interview was that Penny and Don both were having a basic conversation on Station North, letting us know what changed, and how it developed. An hour flew by just sitting there. We really wished we had more time, however Penny was going back. Now, Penny and Don did say we could give him a call to discuss more, if we wanted to. As we winded up that interview, we called Sylvester to see if he was willing to meet. I did end up going back to interview. This time, Tarahn and Sylvester were separated. We met with Sylvester, and this time we were able to talk about Station North and his role in the community. We ended up just deciding, we had done a really long pre-interview. However, we were glad that Sylvester and Tarahn both understood and were willing to meet with us one more time. I ended up getting back later than I expected. In the end, I figured that I would try to listen to one of the interviews we had conducted that day, to either transcribe or pick out themes. However, that did not happen, they weren't up and I understood that too, since it was such a hectic day, in just one word I would say it was exhaustive. If I learned one thing other than make sure it is recording that day, it was too give more time than just a few minutes between interviews, even if it is the same location because delays can totally happen. In class when I asked Adam if he was cool with that, he said, lets separate an hour between each interview.

The next day, groups had themes picked out from interviews. Although there was not much transcribed we had a general idea. During class time, since I wasn't in a group I decided to listen to some of the recordings. Now that they were all up, I could even listen to the ones we had done the day before. I ended up also scheduling 2 more interviews: Tarahns' redo interview as well, the owner of Sofi's Crepes. I knew Scott had someone he wanted to contact from Red Emma's he hadn't contacted yet, so we ended up starting a draft. Then we found out James knew someone at Red Emma's so we gave him the contact. Other than that, I spoke to James to see if I were to contact someone which group they be from. He gave the idea of trying to contact maybe a police officer in Station North, since that was one of the themes that came up. I couldn't find much in it, however if I can I would definitely like to see what they have to say, especially after listening to Dusty's interview. Once class was over, I ended up going back and transcribing one of the interviews done on Wednesday. I figured, better to have one interview completely transcribed than none. I did the one that Nailah had interviewed, since I really wanted to see what he had to say, but also because Adam and Nailah said really good about it. While listening to it, I ended up transcribing the whole thing, finishing it Thursday night and then posting it, so the class has it, if they need it especially the people editing the audio. I wasn't able to look at the themes, but I did have a general idea. On Friday and Saturday, I was able to highlight the themes, and right what I thought the general idea was on the side. I ended up posting it today, after double checking the themes I got from it. The week was hectic, and we got a lot of stuff done, but we still have a lot more to do.

I have 2 interviews to do this Wednesday, again. I know there are 2 or 3 additional interviews scheduled. I think this is the last week we planned on interviewing. After that we really do need to end up transcribing and pulling out themes, from the recent interviews, that weren't done as a class. There is still editing the audio to do, and putting things together to get the final project. As we get closer to the end, it is getting more stressful, but I hope we do make a great final piece.

Station North Project Update 3

Week of April 7 to April 13

I must say this week was much more hectic than the last, going from scheduling, to interviewing and then just visiting Station North. So, on Tuesday, we started out going over discussing our planned adventure to Station North. Once we split up into groups we got more of things that needed to be done and things to be scheduled. I ended up calling a contact (employee at Sofi's Crepes) that I had gotten on Saturday, April 4, 2015. It took awhile since he was not picking up before then, but then I decided to go ahead and call off Scotts phone, and he answered. Finally, I was able to schedule him for Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Thursday April 9, 2015, I ended up going to Station North with the class. It turned out to be an interesting trip, however I will end up speaking more about that in my adventure blog. I do know that when we split up in Station North we were able to get a few contacts of people who were willing to be interviewed. The good thing is I was able to get some photos of the area. I will probably end up putting them up on our drive so that the whole class can view them with the other photos that were taken, hopefully by tonight. After getting back from there, I knew the next time I would be able to go was Saturday. Friday night, Nailah had texted asking if anyone was able to go interview Alethia. Since, I was already going down I decided I would end up doing that one. Nailah had everything ready, even some potential interview questions to ask. It really turned out to be helpful, since it gave me somewhere to start.

Saturday was finally here, it was the day that I was hopefully going to get my first interview. Even though, I had been to Station North the week before, the interview Adam had scheduled turned out to be a no show. When I got there on Saturday, Adam and I met in front of Sofi's Crepes since that was where the interview was. However, it was time for the interview and no interviewee had shown, so I ended up giving him a call, leaving a voicemail. Adam and I decided to go to SNAC, hoping he would the Sofi's Crepes employee would be there later. When we got to SNAC, Adam ordered his breakfast and someone there started talking to Adam about his shoes. This all led him to talk about what he does. As Adam was talking to another person, we contacted for an interview, I started telling him about our project, he seemed really interested. Adam suggested trying to do it now, however since he was leaving we couldn't, so instead he gave a card with our contact information, and I took his down so I could contact him later. As we were waiting at SNAC our interviewee at Sofi's called stating he was late and we could meet him there now. So, we ended up heading back to Sofi's. At Sofi's I was finally able to get my first interview. I must say I was nervous at first, since I didn't know if I would ask right questions, but it turned out better than I thought. As we were going through the interview, I did have to pause for a few moments since I didn't know what to ask, but I learned that once you get started, and don't think about the list of questions in front of you, it feels less planned, and more doable. I liked the questions there as a guide, but I felt that when I was looking at the questions it would be rude to the person we were interviewing. So, instead, I took the general ideas of the questions. The one thing that was difficult, in this interview in particular, was the interviewee kept going off of the topic of Station North. He would talk more about the nation as a whole. It was kind of difficult of getting him back on track. I must say it really interested me to hear some of the ideas he had. Our time was almost up, and so we asked if there was anyone else we should contact. He did have a contact of a member of a person he knew that would come by Sofi's, unfortunately the person he was talking about did not have any contact, but he did end up giving us a description of the person so we could spot him on the street.

We ended up going to our next interview, Alethia at Seoul Rice Cakes. She had a lot of artwork up and pots around Seoul Rice Cakes. At first we spent time looking at the artwork and pots, since Alethia was showing around the art work to one of the Greenmount Seniors. Overall, I think the interview went well. For this one, I spend more time going off the list of questions that Nailah had made, since I know she wanted to ask those questions. However, I was able to ask more questions based off her answers to those questions. Midway thorough the interview I was able to get her to explain the pots that were created by the Seniors at the Greenmount Senior Center. Towards the end I was able to get some of the artwork explained. Overall, I really enjoyed doing the interview, you got to see something different, but also the artwork she had set up was amazing, so in depth, and intricate. One thing I really learned about interviews, is that you really are seeing what the interviewee wants you to see, so basically you are looking at their community through their eyes.

When I got home Saturday, I ended up updating our scheduling interview list. I first strike out any interview that I knew was definitely completed. Then I ended up combining the contact list made by the voices group and the map group. The general idea of the spreadsheet was made, all I had to add a section where we could write if they were contacted and who contacted them, and combine the two lists in to one. The only issue is we don't have many people contacted, and if they have been then we don't really know since no one typed it into the drive. That will probably be one of the points that will be discussed tomorrow, during class. I ended up contacting the interviews I had scheduled for this week, to confirm a time or location. In total I ended up scheduling 4 interviews for this Wednesday. They are back to back from each other, but hopefully they will all show-up and be worthwhile. I know one of them I will not be able to go to, but Nailah was willing to fill in. However the other 3 I will end up going down to and interviewing. 2 of the 3 were contacts that Adam and I had gotten going down to Station North while trying to get interviews. The last interview for this upcoming Wednesday is a 2 in 1 interview, since there will be both the son and father we will interview at the same time. The last thing I contributed in this past week was the powerpoint presentation that laid out an update of the voices group for our group discussion in class tomorrow.

Need to discuss Next Class: Figuring out if anyone else has contacted on the list, if we go ahead and contact does that mean we have to go to the interview. Since, I go contact a few more people on the list, but I may or may not be able to go. If the interviewers go ahead and schedule, can we base off the availabilities schedule, as long as a recorder and interviewer is available then, can we schedule. Also, if we really have to schedule an interview, and it turns out they are only available during our class time can we, and not get penalized. I know, some people I tried contacting really wanted around that time.

Upcoming: Interviewing, Scheduling more, Transcribing, Editing, and Bringing it all together.

Hopefully this week, is not as hectic and we get things more in control. 

Station North Project Update 2

Week of March 30 to April 6

So, this was a week from figuring out what we would do next to trying to conduct interviews. The week started out with us just going over the schedule and what we were going to do next. We got the tentative dates down, but don't have it set in stone. I think it became difficult when everyone has something else they are trying to discuss and only a few people work on the schedule. However we had broken down our group into smaller groups. Our group finalized the ASK and it was ready for sending out to people. Now, Nailah and I discussed how we would script an email and telephone conversations, since we cannot just send an attachment and not write in the email. So, in the end we decided, that I would get out a script of what could be sent out to potential interviewees. I had completed that by late Tuesday, so that people could get contacting the interviewees.We also decided on Tuesday, who would be contacting people, and when would we do it by. Before spring break, we had decided that each person had to find 3 contacts and we would put our names next to them. So, on Tuesday we decided that we would contact the people we wrote. I went ahead and contacted them on Wednesday. I got positive response from 1 and somewhat a response from the second, since I only was able to speak to the receptionist. For the third contact, I left a voicemail, but still never heard anything back. I will probably wait 1 more day before contacting all 3 again, since none of them scheduled, even though the one said they would be willing to do it. Later that night I also found a contact list the Mapping Group shared with us. I looked at the names and bolded which ones were listed twice and then asked the group if we wanted to contact them. Since there was positive response, I went ahead and posted the list on the drive and will start contacting more people on this list since, I wasn't able to get much positive response.

By Thursday, Adam had several interviews scheduled with a group of people who were making a music video. I decided I would go with him to interview on Saturday. When I got to Station North Arts Cafe, Adam was already waiting for me. He filled me in on the interview with Nailah that they had the wrong date for and told me the last interview was a no show. We hoped that this interviewee would show up, but unfortunately it was also a no show. We did wait for the interviewee for awhile before we called it quits. Not to lose the chance, Adam started a conversation with the man across from us. He had a knowledge on the area and had a similar plan in mind to get people to see the voices of the unheard but for certain people. When he heard about our project, he helped us out a lot by giving more people he suggested we interview. He introduced us to one of the people he thought we should interview, we got to speak to him for a few minutes, until he had to go, fortunately he was willing to do an interview. So, hopefully soon we will be able to schedule interviews for the names we just got and get out and try once again for interviews and hopefully they show up. After that I was able to see a little bit of Station North, thanks to Adam showing me around a little bit, (more in adventure blog). The main thing is when we split I went to Sophies Crepes, ended up buying a crepe, and started talking to them about my project. They were willing to do an interview, even at that time, but since Adam had gone and my ride was here we couldn't do it. I was able to get their contact information. They said I could try calling them to schedule. I have texted, and emailed them and today I even called them, however no response. I think this week I will go down again and try to just meet with them there to see if they would be willing to do it.

One thing I wish to know: How many times should one call before calling it quits. I really don't want to harass people, but if they said they would do it, I feel like I can call them.

One thing I learned: We really need a back up space to interview in, if they don't want to choose a space because doing it in someone else' business can make the owner upset even if you purchase something. Adam and I had looked at the ChickenBox and Metro Gallery. So, if there is a way to get those spaces it would be better than recording in someone else's place.

I never thought how stressful this could be, contacting people, not showing up, building relationship, however now I know. I just hope I can find someone willing to give us an interviews scheduled.

One thing I really think we need to complete: Get everyone contacted on both lists, since many people may not respond or show up, at least if we have interviews scheduled we may be able to get something done. We need to make a schedule that everyone can follow by, and start interviewing. Hope this week will run smoother and we get some interviews scheduled, as well as, they show up.